THE MOLLÉ MYSTERY THEATRE Close Shave

Smith as Mr. Mundy, and Carl Eastman as both Tommy and the desk sergeant. John Bloch is the network producer with THE MOLLÉ MYSTERY THEATRE Lionel Ricau providing the NBC cue. Close Shave CD 10A: “Close Shave” - 05/14/1948 Frederick Methot wrote this tale of a woman’s desperate Program Guide by Karl Schadow fight for survival, which stars K. T. Stevens as the swindled Ellen Thomas. Bill Quinn is featured as Tony, with Elspeth Mystery, as a genre, has been a staple of literature, stage plays, films, and Eric (right) as Stella, Ann Thomas as Rickie, and Everett Elspeth Eric is heard in television. Radio also provided an avenue for enthusiasts of such stories, Sloane as Larry. The NBC producer is John Bloch, with the "Close Shave," and five other mysteries in this collection. especially during the 1940s. In his essay on the state of radio mysteries during network cue contributed by Lionel Ricau. the middle of that decade, Ken Crossen opined: “...two programs…occasionally offered a glimpse of the quality that is possible in the air mystery drama...” The CD 10B: “Solo Performance” - 05/21/1948 first, causing little astonishment, was Suspense. The other, however, may have As the beleaguered actor Albert Perry, Everett Sloane delivers a distinguished surprised many readers. It was The Mollé Mystery Theatre. performance in this George and Gertude Fass story of the ill-timed murder of a theatrical producer. Elizabeth Morgan portrays Albert’s wife Elspeth, with This particular program, often billed as Mystery Theatre, debuted on Tuesday, Dan Ocko as both Luigi and Matt Blaine, Elaine Rost as Miss Johnson, Don September 7, 1943 over NBC. Contrary to what is often incorrectly stated about McLaughlin as the director, and Walter Vaughn as the detective. Jim Hayes is the the lack of advertising during the initial season, this venture was indeed a com- NBC producer, with Lionel Ricau providing the network cue. mercial entity right from that premiere broadcast. The program was created by the Young & Rubicam (Y & R) advertising agency, which was one of the largest Suggested reading: radio packaging firms (in terms of monetary billing and number of network pro- Ken Crossen (1946) “There’s Murder in the Air” in The Art of the Mystery Story grams) at that time. Y & R had several clients, including Sterling Drug, Inc. -- (H. Haycraft ed.) the parent firm of the Centaur and Cummer divisions, which Acknowledgements: The author thanks Bryan Cornell and Harrison Behl (both oversaw production of various from Recorded Sound Research Center, Library of Congress) for their invaluable Mollé products. assistance. As announced by Dan Sey- mour, the anthology offered each week: “... one of the great mystery stories; selected from www.RadioSpirits.com either the famous classics PO Box 1315, Little Falls, NJ 07424 or from the best of the mod- erns.” When Hobe Morrison of © 2018 RSPT LLC. All rights reserved. For home use only. Variety (September 15, 1943) Unauthorized distribution prohibited. reviewed the series’ first episode (“The Tell-Tale Heart”), Program Guide © 2018 Karl Schadow and RSPT LLC. All Rights Reserved. he proclaimed: “... due to skill- ful scripting and imaginative 47972 production, it provides enter- taining, even absorbing listening.” Each of the thirty-minute dramas was hosted Mathews as Blintzes Malloy, and Arnold Stang (right) as by the fictitious Geoffrey Barnes. Though portrayed by NBC as a real person, Klepto Grimes. The NBC producer is Wayne Howell, with a crime connoisseur who selected each week’s story, the role was first held by network cue provided by Don Pardo. actor Roc Rogers. CD 7B: “Talk Them to Death” - 06/27/1947 Much of the behind the scenes work, however, was actually accomplished by A circus locale provides the background for this aural teams at both Y & R and NBC. Sandy Stronach and, later, Day Tuttle were medium exclusive by Walter B. Newman. Everett Sloane is the agency’s producer/directors during the program’s first year on the air. Joe featured as the conniving Nick Duncan, with Ralph Bell as Scibetta and Lester Vail assisted in the control booth. The commercial copy Duke, Mary Shipp as Annette, Elspeth Eric as Ruby, Bill was written by Bill Whitman and Bryon Collins under the supervision of Innes Zuckert as both Lee and the police chief, Bill Quinn as Peter Harrison and John Sawyze. The Mollé Brushless Shave Cream copy was read the Great, and Brad Barker as the untamable Jezebel. The Arnold Stang is heard in "Kenny Angles and the (and sung) by Dan Seymour (below) for which Radio Daily (April 15, 1947) had NBC producer is John Bloch, with the New York network Queen of Diamonds." this praise: “To break the monotony of caustic comments on commercials, we’d cue by Mal Ritter. like to pin a grace note on the musical novelty plugging Mollé on the Mystery Theatre.” Additional Sterling Drug brands Double Danderine and Ironized Yeast CD 8A: “Goodbye, Darling” - 08/08/1947 were promoted by spielers George A. Putnam and Dick Dunham, respectively. Numerous twists and turns are encountered in this chiller by Hank Warner (a At NBC, continuity director Stockton Helffrich scrutinized each script so that it member of the CBS press department). Ed Begley stars as George, with Elspeth met required network guidelines. On the technical side, the sound effects artists Eric as Lilly, Chuck Webster as Curtis, and Everett Sloane as both Frank and the included John Powers, John Shurtleff, Lewis Lane, and Jerry McGee. The control Inspector. The NBC producer is John Bloch, with network cue provided by Tom board operators were Ed Watkins and Dudley Connolly. Jack Miller composed O’Brien. and conducted the original theme and incidental music. In this collection, Alexander Semmler is the conductor for several episodes. CD 8B: “The Four Fatal Jugglers” - 11/14/1947 In this story by Paul Monash, two law partners argue over their affections for the Even though ratings during the first year were mediocre, the sponsor continued same woman. Alan Hewitt headlines the cast as Gordon, with John Sylvestor as to periodically renew the program. In July of 1944, Frank K. Telford from Y & R Bob, Charlotte Manson as Lydia, and Grant Richards as Dave. John Bloch is the was appointed as the new producer/director, as the anthology continued without network producer, with Tom O’Brien providing the closing cue. a summer hiatus. A year later, he was credited by Variety (June 27, 1945) with bringing the CD 9A: “Two Men in a Furnished Room” - 11/28/1947 program its first double-digit ratings. A native John Payne stars as Red Carr in the Paul Monash version of this William Irish of Detroit, Telford had performed various duties (Cornell Woolrich) tale. (It was published as “He Looked Like Murder” in the at WXYZ before earning both undergraduate February 8, 1941 issue of Detective Fiction Weekly.) Bill Quinn is featured as and graduate degrees at Wayne State University. Carr’s roommate Dixon, with Ralph Bell as both Sgt. Hiller and Mr. Michaels. During World War II, he wrote and directed Don Pardo and Tom O’Brien are the opening and closing NBC announcers You Can’t Do Business with Hitler and This respectively. John Bloch is the network producer. is Our Enemy. He joined Y & R in March of 1944. The Mollé Mystery Theatre took its first CD 9B: “Make No Mistake” - 04/30/1948 summer break in 1945, and returned to NBC the This solemn story by Robert Mitchell and Gene Levitt casts Alan Baxter as Dave following October 5th at a new day and time: Kimble, who seems to regret one major error. Featured are Adrienne Bayan as Fridays at 10 pm Eastern. Bernard Lenrow held both the first motorist and Jeannie, George Randall as both the second motorist Dan Seymour the role of Geoffrey Barnes, and the program’s and Mr. Meade, Everett Sloane as both the third motorist and Bert Ragnor, Bill 2 7 Lucky, and Mandel Kramer as Inspector Burke. Additional roles of various club successes continued. For several months, beginning in July of 1946, there members are played by Gilbert Mack and the script writer. Walter McGraw is the was amazement reported in the trade regarding this achievement considering NBC producer, with Tom O’Brien providing the network cue. its rather low weekly budget. Frank Telford was quoted in The Billboard (July 20, 1946): “We try for something novel all the time, and it’s hard to get good CD 5B: “The Hands of Mr. Ottermole” - 06/21/1946 material.” Throughout its tenure on radio, scripts were accepted for the program This thriller, adapted by L. K. Hoffman from the Thomas Burke yarn, first on a freelance basis. Telford emphasized this policy in Variety (December 17, appeared in The Story-Teller (February 1929). The cast includes Arnold Moss as 1947), in an attempt to counter the previous issue’s complaint about a lack of the narrator, Ted Osborn as both Mr. Whybrow and the waiter, Ruben Weiss as outlets for authors. Telford declared: “... but in view of the implication of your both James and the fishmonger, Thelma Schnee as both Mrs. Whybrow and Janie, story, that good writing talent is going to waste, here is a market.” In the current Earl Hammond as Crane, Horace Braham as the editor, William Podmore as both set, scripts were crafted by veteran scribes Joseph Ruscoll and Sidney Slon, and the constable and the mayor, and Craig McDonnell as the sergeant. The network by relative newcomers Frederick Methot and Paul Monash. The latter would producer is Walter McGraw, with the NBC cue provided by Tom O’Brien. go on to achieve success in films (Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid) and television (Peyton Place). CD 6A: “St. Louis Lady” - 08/23/1946 This original radio play by Irene Winston was first titled “St. Louis Blues,” as Though authors were duly acknowledged on-air, there was inconsistency in the a tribute to the song heard throughout the story. It was then changed to “St. cast credits. When present, film and stage stars such as Lizabeth Scott (below) Louis Woman,” and altered again to avoid confusion with the musical of that and John Payne (both of whom appear in the current broadcast batch) always same name that was playing in New York. The Lady caught in a love triangle received oral curtseys. With regards to selecting performers, Frank Telford was is portrayed by Elspeth Eric, with Gilbert Mack and Frank Lovejoy as her two praised by Radio Daily (July 19, 1946): “ ... rates a bow for showing partiality suitors. George MacFarland is the singer. Ron Rawson subs for the vacationing to ex-GI radiolites when casting.” Two such former service members heard in George Putnam to make the Double Danderine pitch. The NBC producer is Paul episodes of this release are Ian Martin and Bob Quigley. Knight, with Tom O’Brien providing the network cue. The Mollé Mystery Theatre completed its NBC tenure on June 25, 1948. It was CD 6B: “Angel Face” - 12/20/1946 subsequently moved to CBS on Tuesday nights the following week, with a new Femme fatale Dolores is played by June Havoc (below), who teams with Larry agency and production team. Haines as Al (her partner in a vicious get-rich scheme). Richard Widmark is heard as Joe in Don Agger’s transformation of Episode Guide the Walter Wilson short story “Murder on Her Mind” (Thrilling Detective, August 1944). The CD 1A: “Dilemma” - 11/21/1944 NBC producer is Wayne Howell, with Don This story by S. Weir Mitchell, M.D. was originally Pardo providing the network cue. published in Century Magazine (July 1902) without a decisive ending. Readers were left to ponder the CD 7A: “Kenny Angles and the Queen of final conclusion. Adapted for radio by Louis Pelletier Diamonds” - 04/18/1947 and Jacques Anson Finke, this stars John Sylvester In this third and final chapter of the Kenny as a greedy coward seeking his grandfather’s fortune. Andrews saga, Carl Eastman and Ralph Bell Featured in the cast are Joan Alexander as Ellen, return in their roles of Kenny and his irritated Arnold Moss as the estate executor, the constable and attorney. Their AFRA comrades include Elspeth the minister, Ted Jewett as both the doctor and the Eric as the librarian, Jerry Macy as the inspector, architect, Philip Clarke as the explosives expert, and Lizabeth Scott is heard in June Havoc is heard in "Angel Face." Santos Ortega as both Bobo and Itchy, George Ted Osborn as both Grandpa Faulkner and the bar "Female of the Species." 6 3 patron. The last five minutes of thisMystery Playhouse version (hosted by Peter O’Brien, Ruben Weiss as Cop #1, and A. Kelley as both Cop #2 and jail guard. Lorre) includes a preview of that series’ following week’s episode of Mr. & Mrs. Jim Harvey is the NBC producer, with network cue by Bill Malcolm. North. The NBC producer is Paul Martin. CD 3B: “The Further Adventures of Kenny Andrews” - 05/10/1946 CD 1B: “Lady in the Morgue” - 05/15/1945 When listeners of the program heard the first episode of ‘the Broadway tout with Ken Lynch and John Gibson enact the roles of private detectives Crane all the angles,’ they clamored for more. Thus, this second chapter was provided and O’Malley as they search for a missing corpse in L. K. Hoffman’s script. by Joseph Ruscoll, with Carl Eastman once again the headliner. Additional cast This comedy-mystery was culled from the 1936 novel by Jonathan Latimer, members are Ralph Bell as both Alexander Farfel and Chicago Looie, James one of nine from the Doubleday Doran & Co. Crime Club series utilized on Van Dyk as Pinko Shultz, Elspeth Eric as Nikki Passions, Ted De Corsia as both the Mollé program. It was originally scheduled for broadcast on May 8th, but Big Al and the radio announcer, and Frank Dane as both Blintzes Malloy and was postponed to the following week on account of the V-E DAY celebration. Inspector Ross. The NBC producer is Ted Mabley, with Tom O’Brien providing Supporting players include James Van Dyk as Mr. Courtland, Jerry Macy as Lt. the network cue. Grady and Mandel Kramer as Sam Udoni. Paul Dumont is the NBC producer. CD 4A: “Witness for the Prosecution” - 05/31/1946 CD 2A: “The Creeper” - 03/29/1946 This classic story by Agatha Christie (below) was first published under the title One of the aural medium’s most famous yarns, this original drama was crafted by “Traitor’s Hands” in the January 31, 1925 issue of Flynn’s. The lead actress of Joseph Ruscoll. Charlotte Manson stars as Georgia, the frantic wife of policeman Lawrence Menken’s radio version is Lesley Woods, who plays both Romaine Steve Grant (Jackson Beck). They are assisted by Richard Widmark as Perley, Vole and Mrs. Mogson. Courtney Benson is heard as Mr. Vole, with Maurice Rolfe Sedan as both the radio broadcaster and the doorman, Gladys Thornton as Tarplin as Mr. Mayherne, Carl Emory as both Mr. Pinglebarn and the judge, Bob Mrs. Stone, Ted Osborn as the druggist, Jim Lee as the elevator operator, and Quigley as both the Inspector and court clerk, Alan Hewitt as the prosecutor, and Bill Zuckert as the maniac terrorizing the city. The NBC producer is Ted Mabley, Thelma Ritter as Janet. The NBC producer is Ted Mabley, with network cue by with Tom O’Brien providing the closing cue. Tom O’Brien.

CD 2B: “Night Must Fall” - 04/12/1946 CD 4B: “Female of the Species” - 06/07/1946 This play by England-native Emlyn Williams was initially performed in the This script is the first of five for this program from the pen of actress Irene United Kingdom in 1935. In this radio rendition by Don Agger, Ian Martin Winston. Movie siren Lizabeth Scott portrays femme fatale Eva Lester, the has the lead role as the mentally unstable Danny, with Virginia Field (below) conniving owner of a posh beauty salon. Supporting cast includes Gilbert Mack as Olivia, Ethel Browning as Mrs. Bramson, as Fred and Virginia Dwyer as Helen. The NBC Thelma Jordan as Dora, Anthony Kemble producer is Walter McGraw, with network cue Cooper as Hubert Laurie, and Neil Fitzgerald by Tom O’Brien. as Inspector Belsize. The NBC producer is Jim Harvey, with network cue by Bill Malcolm. CD 5A: “The Adventure of the Fallen Angels” - 06/14/1946 CD 3A: “Follow That Cab” - 04/19/1946 Tony Verner is a playboy who must raise Created exclusively for radio by Larry and $20,000 to resolve a gambling debt. The Sidney Slon, this is a frolicking mystery of two original story by Percival Wilde (The Popular bumbling cab driver-detective wannabes, Julius Magazine, October 20, 1924) is adapted for and Moe. John Gibson and Larry Haines co- radio by Frederick Methot. Les Tremayne stars star, along with Sidney Slon as Burton, Francis as Tony, with Ralph Bell as Johnny, James Chaney as the woman, Jerry Macy as Chief Van Dyk as Ace Kendrick, Alice Reinhart as Virginia Field is heard in "Night Must Fall." Agatha Christie 4 5 Lucky, and Mandel Kramer as Inspector Burke. Additional roles of various club successes continued. For several months, beginning in July of 1946, there members are played by Gilbert Mack and the script writer. Walter McGraw is the was amazement reported in the trade regarding this achievement considering NBC producer, with Tom O’Brien providing the network cue. its rather low weekly budget. Frank Telford was quoted in The Billboard (July 20, 1946): “We try for something novel all the time, and it’s hard to get good CD 5B: “The Hands of Mr. Ottermole” - 06/21/1946 material.” Throughout its tenure on radio, scripts were accepted for the program This thriller, adapted by L. K. Hoffman from the Thomas Burke yarn, first on a freelance basis. Telford emphasized this policy in Variety (December 17, appeared in The Story-Teller (February 1929). The cast includes Arnold Moss as 1947), in an attempt to counter the previous issue’s complaint about a lack of the narrator, Ted Osborn as both Mr. Whybrow and the waiter, Ruben Weiss as outlets for authors. Telford declared: “... but in view of the implication of your both James and the fishmonger, Thelma Schnee as both Mrs. Whybrow and Janie, story, that good writing talent is going to waste, here is a market.” In the current Earl Hammond as Crane, Horace Braham as the editor, William Podmore as both set, scripts were crafted by veteran scribes Joseph Ruscoll and Sidney Slon, and the constable and the mayor, and Craig McDonnell as the sergeant. The network by relative newcomers Frederick Methot and Paul Monash. The latter would producer is Walter McGraw, with the NBC cue provided by Tom O’Brien. go on to achieve success in films (Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid) and television (Peyton Place). CD 6A: “St. Louis Lady” - 08/23/1946 This original radio play by Irene Winston was first titled “St. Louis Blues,” as Though authors were duly acknowledged on-air, there was inconsistency in the a tribute to the song heard throughout the story. It was then changed to “St. cast credits. When present, film and stage stars such as Lizabeth Scott (below) Louis Woman,” and altered again to avoid confusion with the musical of that and John Payne (both of whom appear in the current broadcast batch) always same name that was playing in New York. The Lady caught in a love triangle received oral curtseys. With regards to selecting performers, Frank Telford was is portrayed by Elspeth Eric, with Gilbert Mack and Frank Lovejoy as her two praised by Radio Daily (July 19, 1946): “ ... rates a bow for showing partiality suitors. George MacFarland is the singer. Ron Rawson subs for the vacationing to ex-GI radiolites when casting.” Two such former service members heard in George Putnam to make the Double Danderine pitch. The NBC producer is Paul episodes of this release are Ian Martin and Bob Quigley. Knight, with Tom O’Brien providing the network cue. The Mollé Mystery Theatre completed its NBC tenure on June 25, 1948. It was CD 6B: “Angel Face” - 12/20/1946 subsequently moved to CBS on Tuesday nights the following week, with a new Femme fatale Dolores is played by June Havoc (below), who teams with Larry agency and production team. Haines as Al (her partner in a vicious get-rich scheme). Richard Widmark is heard as Joe in Don Agger’s transformation of Episode Guide the Walter Wilson short story “Murder on Her Mind” (Thrilling Detective, August 1944). The CD 1A: “Dilemma” - 11/21/1944 NBC producer is Wayne Howell, with Don This story by S. Weir Mitchell, M.D. was originally Pardo providing the network cue. published in Century Magazine (July 1902) without a decisive ending. Readers were left to ponder the CD 7A: “Kenny Angles and the Queen of final conclusion. Adapted for radio by Louis Pelletier Diamonds” - 04/18/1947 and Jacques Anson Finke, this stars John Sylvester In this third and final chapter of the Kenny as a greedy coward seeking his grandfather’s fortune. Andrews saga, Carl Eastman and Ralph Bell Featured in the cast are Joan Alexander as Ellen, return in their roles of Kenny and his irritated Arnold Moss as the estate executor, the constable and attorney. Their AFRA comrades include Elspeth the minister, Ted Jewett as both the doctor and the Eric as the librarian, Jerry Macy as the inspector, architect, Philip Clarke as the explosives expert, and Lizabeth Scott is heard in June Havoc is heard in "Angel Face." Santos Ortega as both Bobo and Itchy, George Ted Osborn as both Grandpa Faulkner and the bar "Female of the Species." 6 3 taining, even absorbing listening.” Each of the thirty-minute dramas was hosted Mathews as Blintzes Malloy, and Arnold Stang (right) as by the fictitious Geoffrey Barnes. Though portrayed by NBC as a real person, Klepto Grimes. The NBC producer is Wayne Howell, with a crime connoisseur who selected each week’s story, the role was first held by network cue provided by Don Pardo. actor Roc Rogers. CD 7B: “Talk Them to Death” - 06/27/1947 Much of the behind the scenes work, however, was actually accomplished by A circus locale provides the background for this aural teams at both Y & R and NBC. Sandy Stronach and, later, Day Tuttle were medium exclusive by Walter B. Newman. Everett Sloane is the agency’s producer/directors during the program’s first year on the air. Joe featured as the conniving Nick Duncan, with Ralph Bell as Scibetta and Lester Vail assisted in the control booth. The commercial copy Duke, Mary Shipp as Annette, Elspeth Eric as Ruby, Bill was written by Bill Whitman and Bryon Collins under the supervision of Innes Zuckert as both Lee and the police chief, Bill Quinn as Peter Harrison and John Sawyze. The Mollé Brushless Shave Cream copy was read the Great, and Brad Barker as the untamable Jezebel. The Arnold Stang is heard in "Kenny Angles and the (and sung) by Dan Seymour (below) for which Radio Daily (April 15, 1947) had NBC producer is John Bloch, with the New York network Queen of Diamonds." this praise: “To break the monotony of caustic comments on commercials, we’d cue by Mal Ritter. like to pin a grace note on the musical novelty plugging Mollé on the Mystery Theatre.” Additional Sterling Drug brands Double Danderine and Ironized Yeast CD 8A: “Goodbye, Darling” - 08/08/1947 were promoted by spielers George A. Putnam and Dick Dunham, respectively. Numerous twists and turns are encountered in this chiller by Hank Warner (a At NBC, continuity director Stockton Helffrich scrutinized each script so that it member of the CBS press department). Ed Begley stars as George, with Elspeth met required network guidelines. On the technical side, the sound effects artists Eric as Lilly, Chuck Webster as Curtis, and Everett Sloane as both Frank and the included John Powers, John Shurtleff, Lewis Lane, and Jerry McGee. The control Inspector. The NBC producer is John Bloch, with network cue provided by Tom board operators were Ed Watkins and Dudley Connolly. Jack Miller composed O’Brien. and conducted the original theme and incidental music. In this collection, Alexander Semmler is the conductor for several episodes. CD 8B: “The Four Fatal Jugglers” - 11/14/1947 In this story by Paul Monash, two law partners argue over their affections for the Even though ratings during the first year were mediocre, the sponsor continued same woman. Alan Hewitt headlines the cast as Gordon, with John Sylvestor as to periodically renew the program. In July of 1944, Frank K. Telford from Y & R Bob, Charlotte Manson as Lydia, and Grant Richards as Dave. John Bloch is the was appointed as the new producer/director, as the anthology continued without network producer, with Tom O’Brien providing the closing cue. a summer hiatus. A year later, he was credited by Variety (June 27, 1945) with bringing the CD 9A: “Two Men in a Furnished Room” - 11/28/1947 program its first double-digit ratings. A native John Payne stars as Red Carr in the Paul Monash version of this William Irish of Detroit, Telford had performed various duties (Cornell Woolrich) tale. (It was published as “He Looked Like Murder” in the at WXYZ before earning both undergraduate February 8, 1941 issue of Detective Fiction Weekly.) Bill Quinn is featured as and graduate degrees at Wayne State University. Carr’s roommate Dixon, with Ralph Bell as both Sgt. Hiller and Mr. Michaels. During World War II, he wrote and directed Don Pardo and Tom O’Brien are the opening and closing NBC announcers You Can’t Do Business with Hitler and This respectively. John Bloch is the network producer. is Our Enemy. He joined Y & R in March of 1944. The Mollé Mystery Theatre took its first CD 9B: “Make No Mistake” - 04/30/1948 summer break in 1945, and returned to NBC the This solemn story by Robert Mitchell and Gene Levitt casts Alan Baxter as Dave following October 5th at a new day and time: Kimble, who seems to regret one major error. Featured are Adrienne Bayan as Fridays at 10 pm Eastern. Bernard Lenrow held both the first motorist and Jeannie, George Randall as both the second motorist Dan Seymour the role of Geoffrey Barnes, and the program’s and Mr. Meade, Everett Sloane as both the third motorist and Bert Ragnor, Bill 2 7 Smith as Mr. Mundy, and Carl Eastman as both Tommy and the desk sergeant. John Bloch is the network producer with THE MOLLÉ MYSTERY THEATRE Lionel Ricau providing the NBC cue. Close Shave CD 10A: “Close Shave” - 05/14/1948 Frederick Methot wrote this tale of a woman’s desperate Program Guide by Karl Schadow fight for survival, which stars K. T. Stevens as the swindled Ellen Thomas. Bill Quinn is featured as Tony, with Elspeth Mystery, as a genre, has been a staple of literature, stage plays, films, and Eric (right) as Stella, Ann Thomas as Rickie, and Everett Elspeth Eric is heard in television. Radio also provided an avenue for enthusiasts of such stories, Sloane as Larry. The NBC producer is John Bloch, with the "Close Shave," and five other mysteries in this collection. especially during the 1940s. In his essay on the state of radio mysteries during network cue contributed by Lionel Ricau. the middle of that decade, Ken Crossen opined: “...two programs…occasionally offered a glimpse of the quality that is possible in the air mystery drama...” The CD 10B: “Solo Performance” - 05/21/1948 first, causing little astonishment, was Suspense. The other, however, may have As the beleaguered actor Albert Perry, Everett Sloane delivers a distinguished surprised many readers. It was The Mollé Mystery Theatre. performance in this George and Gertude Fass story of the ill-timed murder of a theatrical producer. Elizabeth Morgan portrays Albert’s wife Elspeth, with This particular program, often billed as Mystery Theatre, debuted on Tuesday, Dan Ocko as both Luigi and Matt Blaine, Elaine Rost as Miss Johnson, Don September 7, 1943 over NBC. Contrary to what is often incorrectly stated about McLaughlin as the director, and Walter Vaughn as the detective. Jim Hayes is the the lack of advertising during the initial season, this venture was indeed a com- NBC producer, with Lionel Ricau providing the network cue. mercial entity right from that premiere broadcast. The program was created by the Young & Rubicam (Y & R) advertising agency, which was one of the largest Suggested reading: radio packaging firms (in terms of monetary billing and number of network pro- Ken Crossen (1946) “There’s Murder in the Air” in The Art of the Mystery Story grams) at that time. Y & R had several clients, including Sterling Drug, Inc. -- (H. Haycraft ed.) the parent firm of the Centaur and Cummer divisions, which Acknowledgements: The author thanks Bryan Cornell and Harrison Behl (both oversaw production of various from Recorded Sound Research Center, Library of Congress) for their invaluable Mollé products. assistance. As announced by Dan Sey- mour, the anthology offered each week: “... one of the great mystery stories; selected from www.RadioSpirits.com either the famous classics PO Box 1315, Little Falls, NJ 07424 or from the best of the mod- erns.” When Hobe Morrison of © 2018 RSPT LLC. All rights reserved. For home use only. Variety (September 15, 1943) Unauthorized distribution prohibited. reviewed the series’ first episode (“The Tell-Tale Heart”), Program Guide © 2018 Karl Schadow and RSPT LLC. All Rights Reserved. he proclaimed: “... due to skill- ful scripting and imaginative 47972 production, it provides enter-